[830 v3.7 regression] Video goes blank and system hangs (using an old kernel fix it)

[Federico Leoni]

I'm on a very old Dell C400 P3 866 with 768mb ram which still works rock solid. I've upgraded this system from Lubuntu 12.10 to 13.04 but with every kernel above V3.6.11 (took from mainline ubuntu) system hangs randomly.

I tried to install Intel video drivers from https://01.org/linuxgraphics/ (Intel(R) Linux* Graphics Installer version 1.0.1 for Ubuntu* 13.04 (32-bit)) but this did not solve the problem. I'm not sure if is driver or kernel related since on the last release change the drivers curiously works using kernel V3.9 but before revert to this release I would like to help to find a solution.

uname -r
3.8.0-23-generic

lsb_release -rd
Description: Ubuntu 13.04
Release: 13.04

apt-cache policy xserver-xorg-video-intel
xserver-xorg-video-intel:
  Installed: 2:2.21.6-0ubuntu4
  Candidate: 2:2.21.6-0ubuntu4
  Version table:
 *** 2:2.21.6-0ubuntu4 0
        500 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ raring/main i386 Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

lspci -k
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation 82830M/MG Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 04)
 Subsystem: Dell Device 00c8
 Kernel driver in use: i915
 Kernel modules: intelfb, i915
00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation 82830M/MG Integrated Graphics Controller
 Subsystem: Dell Device 00c8
 Kernel modules: i915

hwinfo --gfxcard
> hal.1: read hal dataprocess 2789: arguments to dbus_move_error() were incorrect, assertion "(dest) == NULL || !dbus_error_is_set ((dest))" failed in file ../../dbus/dbus-errors.c line 282.
This is normally a bug in some application using the D-Bus library.
libhal.c 3483 : Error unsubscribing to signals, error=The name org.freedesktop.Hal was not provided by any .service files
09: PCI 02.0: 0300 VGA compatible controller (VGA)
  [Created at pci.318]
  Unique ID: _Znp.bU4liPq1bBD
  SysFS ID: /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.0
  SysFS BusID: 0000:00:02.0
  Hardware Class: graphics card
  Model: "Intel i830"
  Vendor: pci 0x8086 "Intel Corporation"
  Device: pci 0x3577 "i830"
  SubVendor: pci 0x1028 "Dell"
  SubDevice: pci 0x00c8
  Revision: 0x04
  Driver: "i915"
  Driver Modules: "drm"
  Memory Range: 0xe0000000-0xe7ffffff (ro,non-prefetchable)
  Memory Range: 0xf4f80000-0xf4ffffff (rw,non-prefetchable)
  IRQ: 11 (737 events)
  Module Alias: "pci:v00008086d00003577sv00001028sd000000C8bc03sc00i00"
  Driver Info #0:
    XFree86 v4 Server Module: intel
  Driver Info #1:
    XFree86 v4 Server Module: intel
    3D Support: yes
    Extensions: dri
  Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown

10: PCI 02.1: 0380 Display controller
  [Created at pci.318]
  Unique ID: ruGf.XE0Ix0G1vD2
  SysFS ID: /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:02.1
  SysFS BusID: 0000:00:02.1
  Hardware Class: graphics card
  Model: "Intel i830"
  Vendor: pci 0x8086 "Intel Corporation"
  Device: pci 0x3577 "i830"
  SubVendor: pci 0x1028 "Dell"
  SubDevice: pci 0x00c8
  Memory Range: 0xd8000000-0xdfffffff (ro,non-prefetchable)
  Memory Range: 0xf4f00000-0xf4f7ffff (rw,non-prefetchable)
  Module Alias: "pci:v00008086d00003577sv00001028sd000000C8bc03sc80i00"
  Driver Info #0:
    XFree86 v4 Server Module: intel
  Driver Info #1:
    XFree86 v4 Server Module: intel
    3D Support: yes
    Extensions: dri
  Config Status: cfg=new, avail=yes, need=no, active=unknown

Primary display adapter: #9

Note: I was able to replicate this bug trying to install directly from Lubuntu 13.04 live cd. I can't complete the installation.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 13.04
Package: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.21.6-0ubuntu4
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.8.0-23.34-generic 3.8.11
Uname: Linux 3.8.0-23-generic i686
ApportVersion: 2.9.2-0ubuntu8
Architecture: i386
Date: Sun Jun 2 17:16:56 2013
InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-05-29 (3 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Lubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal" - Release i386 (20121017)
MarkForUpload: True
SourcePackage: xserver-xorg-video-intel
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to raring on 2013-06-02 (0 days ago)
---
ApportVersion: 2.9.2-0ubuntu8
Architecture: i386
CompizPlugins: No value set for `/apps/compiz-1/general/screen0/options/active_plugins'
CompositorRunning: None
CurrentDmesg: [ 84.410243] init: anacron main process (1188) killed by TERM signal
DistUpgraded: 2013-06-02 15:33:09,112 DEBUG enabling apt cron job
DistroCodename: raring
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 13.04
DistroVariant: ubuntu
ExtraDebuggingInterest: Yes
GraphicsCard:
 Intel Corporation 82830M/MG Integrated Graphics Controller [8086:3577] (rev 04) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
   Subsystem: Dell Device [1028:00c8]
   Subsystem: Dell Device [1028:00c8]
InstallationDate: Installed on 2013-05-29 (4 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Lubuntu 12.10 "Quantal Quetzal" - Release i386 (20121017)
LightdmGreeterLog:
 ** (lightdm-gtk-greeter:1453): WARNING **: Failed to open sessions directory: Error opening directory '/usr/share/lightdm/remote-sessions': No such file or directory

 ** (lightdm-gtk-greeter:1453): WARNING **: Failed to load user image: Failed to open file '/home/effe/.face': No such file or directory
Lsusb: Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
MachineType: Dell Computer Corporation Latitude C400
MarkForUpload: True
Package: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.21.6-0ubuntu4
PackageArchitecture: i386
PccardctlIdent:
 Socket 0:
   no product info available
PccardctlStatus:
 Socket 0:
   no card
ProcKernelCmdLine: BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-3.6.11-030611-generic root=UUID=40d46bf5-09d8-414f-99b2-0acd1bd27c57 ro quiet splash vt.handoff=7
Tags: raring ubuntu
Uname: Linux 3.6.11-030611-generic i686
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to raring on 2013-06-02 (0 days ago)
UserGroups: adm cdrom dip lpadmin plugdev sambashare sudo
XorgLogOld:

dmi.bios.date: 03/01/2004
dmi.bios.vendor: Dell Computer Corporation
dmi.bios.version: A12
dmi.board.name: Latitude C400
dmi.board.vendor: Dell Computer Corporation
dmi.chassis.type: 8
dmi.chassis.vendor: Dell Computer Corporation
dmi.modalias: dmi:bvnDellComputerCorporation:bvrA12:bd03/01/2004:svnDellComputerCorporation:pnLatitudeC400:pvr:rvnDellComputerCorporation:rnLatitudeC400:rvr:cvnDellComputerCorporation:ct8:cvr:
dmi.product.name: Latitude C400
dmi.sys.vendor: Dell Computer Corporation
version.compiz: compiz N/A
version.libdrm2: libdrm2 2.4.43-0ubuntu1
version.libgl1-mesa-dri: libgl1-mesa-dri 9.1.1-0ubuntu3
version.libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental: libgl1-mesa-dri-experimental 9.1.1-0ubuntu3
version.libgl1-mesa-glx: libgl1-mesa-glx 9.1.1-0ubuntu3
version.xserver-xorg-core: xserver-xorg-core 2:1.13.3-0ubuntu6
version.xserver-xorg-input-evdev: xserver-xorg-input-evdev 1:2.7.3-0ubuntu2b2
version.xserver-xorg-video-ati: xserver-xorg-video-ati 1:7.1.0-0ubuntu2
version.xserver-xorg-video-intel: xserver-xorg-video-intel 2:2.21.6-0ubuntu4
version.xserver-xorg-video-nouveau: xserver-xorg-video-nouveau 1:1.0.7-0ubuntu1
xserver.bootTime: Mon Jun 3 10:43:17 2013
xserver.configfile: default
xserver.errors:

xserver.logfile: /var/log/Xorg.0.log
xserver.outputs: Output LVDS1 VGA1
xserver.version: 2:1.13.3-0ubuntu6
xserver.video_driver: intel

[Chris Wilson (ickle)]

Install the xdiagnose package and then please run 'apport-collect 1186800' after triggering the blank screen.

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

apport information

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

apport information

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

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[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

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[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

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[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

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[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

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[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

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[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

apport information

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

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[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

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[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

apport information

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

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[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

apport information

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

apport information

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

apport information

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

apport information

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

Hi Chris,

The information collected are merged after an hang with kernel V3.8.0-23-generic and a forced reboot (pressing power button).

Again, my system is stable with kernel V3.6.11, the Issue starts with kernel V3.7.0+.
I installed also openssh-server to see if I can access the machine remotely during hangs but is not reachable.

[Chris Wilson (ickle)]

Nothing untoward stands out in the logs from the working setup. Unfortunately, if it is a hard hang and the machine is unaccessible from the network, then the easiest way to debug the issue is likely with a kernel bisection.

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

Understood. Well for now the unique workaround I found is to block the
grub entry on V3.6.11 on startup so the system works. It's not my
primary machine then I would like to help you (or with the maintainer
of the kernel in this case) to do a bisection. Just ask.

2013/6/3, Chris Wilson <email address hidden>:
> Nothing untoward stands out in the logs from the working setup.
> Unfortunately, if it is a hard hang and the machine is unaccessible from
> the network, then the easiest way to debug the issue is likely with a
> kernel bisection.
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1186800
>
> Title:
> Video goes blank and system hangs (using an old kernel fix it)
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/xserver-xorg-video-intel/+bug/1186800/+subscriptions
>

--
F.

[Chris Wilson (ickle)]

A couple of bisect guides:

http://www.reactivated.net/weblog/archives/2006/01/using-git-bisect-to-find-buggy-kernel-patches/

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Kernel/KernelBisection

If you can find the patch that introduces the random hang, that will be extremely informative.

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

wow that's hard!

git log --oneline v3.6.11..v3.7 | wc
  13005 104076 815300

I'll try to filter a bit, on a P3 866mhz takes ages to compile with each commit...Frankly I don't think it's worth it.

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

Chris,
I'm trying to bisect but seems I have a problem with build-mainline-one script...

effe@C400:~/linux-stable$ git bisect start -- arch/i386 include/video
effe@C400:~/linux-stable$ git bisect bad v3.7
effe@C400:~/linux-stable$ git bisect good v3.6.11
Bisecting: 15 revisions left to test after this (roughly 4 steps)
[14d33d384693eb6083396199de516fdef320f7af] OMAPDSS: Correct DISPC_IRQ bit definitions for LCD3
effe@C400:~/linux-stable$ git describe 14d33d384693eb6083396199de516fdef320f7af
v3.5-rc2-87-g14d33d3
effe@C400:~/kteam-tools/mainline-build$ ./mainline-build-one 14d33d384693eb6083396199de516fdef320f7af raring
*** BUILDING: commit:14d33d384693eb6083396199de516fdef320f7af series:raring abinum: ...
fatal: No names found, cannot describe anything.
build-mainline-one: 14d33d384693eb6083396199de516fdef320f7af: invalid commit

I can't create the .deb I need to install the kernel to test nor I can't find a solution, I think I need to be much more "geek"...

F.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

Chris,

on Lubuntu mailing list we have a thread speaking about a workaround for another issue with xserver-xorg-video-intel and flash that seems to solve the problem I have.
As reported on commentary #1 on bug 1178982, using UXA as accelmethod option on xorg.xonf solve the issue of that bug AND this one. My system seems quite stable now even when using kernel 3.10 and I cannot see any side effects for now.

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1178982

Direct link to the comment #1:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1178982/comments/1

Hope it helps found the problem.

F.

[Chris Wilson (ickle)]

No, that is a bug in adobe's software renderer not being able to handle any none 24-depth framebuffers. It equally affects you if have a 30- or 36-bpp monitor. The correct workaround here is specifying DefaultDepth 24 or just complaining to adobe.

Completely unrelated to this bug.

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

My display is set to 1024x768x16bit and I can assure it's working fine now with UXA.
I tested this render method only by accident to see if it will improve Flash on such an old machine.
Just to let you know I'm using flash 10.x due to an incompatibility with my cpu and 11.x.

As soon as I can I 'll upgrade my machine to the upcoming Lubuntu 13.10 to see if the bug is still present without setting UXA on xorg.conf.

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

Chris,
I don't want to bother you but I have to insist: with the UXA accelmethod the problem does not occurs.
I created the file /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf instead of using the old xorg.conf and my notebook now works fine on both 13.04 (kernel 3.8.x) and 13.10 (3.10.x).

Don't you think it is appropriate to consider this solution as a clue to this issue?

[Chris Wilson (ickle)]

I've told you exactly what the issue is:

"No, that is a bug in adobe's software renderer not being able to handle any none 24-depth framebuffers. It equally affects you if have a 30- or 36-bpp monitor. The correct workaround here is specifying DefaultDepth 24 or just complaining to adobe."

The active ingredient of your workaround is changing the framebuffer depth.

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

Understood Chris, sometimes I need to read with more attention, English is not my primary language.
Seems my display simply can't handle 24bit color depth, if I force a 16bit color depth on xorg I can see great degrade of the render, clearly evident on desktop wallpaper (see pic).
About the 24bit framebuffer, with or without UXA xdpyinfo and fbset shows the same values.

effe@C400:~$ xdpyinfo | grep "of root"
  depth of root window: 24 planes
effe@C400:~$ sudo fbset -i

mode "1024x768"
    geometry 1024 768 1024 768 32
    timings 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
    accel true
    rgba 8/16,8/8,8/0,0/0
endmode

Frame buffer device information:
    Name : inteldrmfb
    Address : 0xe0020000
    Size : 3145728
    Type : PACKED PIXELS
    Visual : TRUECOLOR
    XPanStep : 1
    YPanStep : 1
    YWrapStep : 0
    LineLength : 4096
    Accelerator : No

Probably I miss something here, anyway the important thing is I found a workaround.
The only thing I regret is I can't use liveCD to test future versions on this notebook as I can't set UXA via GRUB.

[Rens de Groot (rensdg)]

I am running peppermint 4 on an IBM Thinkpad X30 which has the Intel 82830M/MG graphics controller and I had the same problem of frequent black screens and hang ups. The workaround that Federico mentioned also worked for me. The way I implemented it was:

changing/making the xorg.conf by

sudo nano /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/xorg.conf

and adding:

Section "Device"
Identifier "Intel Graphics"
Driver "intel"
Option "AccelMethod" "uxa"
EndSection

[penalvch (penalvch)]

Federico Leoni, thank you for reporting this and helping make Ubuntu better.

As per https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Releases, Ubuntu 13.04 reached EOL on January 27, 2014.

Is this reproducible in a supported release?

[Federico Leoni (effelle-gmail)]

Christopher,

as soon as possible I'll have a look with a newest release based on xfce or
lxde. This notebook is not my primary machine but just a spare one I used
to debug when I was part of the Lububtu team.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for xserver-xorg-video-intel (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]